WOMBWELL Town and Worsbrough Bridge meet on Friday in an all-Barnsley clash which could be repeated in the play-offs in the coming weeks.

Town – who host the derby from 7.45pm – are third, with six games to play while they are 12 points clear in the top five play-off places and eight off the only automatic promotion spot.

Bridge are seventh, four points outside the play-offs, with four games left.

Worsbrough manager Lee Morris said: “It’s a big Barnsley derby.

“We could be playing them again in a few weeks in the play-offs.

“I thought Wombwell would win the league at one point but it looks like they will finish in the play-offs.

“I have managed a lot of their players and they are a big strong team. If we adapt to that, it will be a good game.

“It will be entertaining for the locals and neutrals but, for managers, I might have a few more grey hairs afterwards.

“It will be a tough game for us but, if we get something out of it, we have a good chance of the play-offs.”

Wombwell Town boss Karl Rose added: “It should be a great game.

“Even with nothing on the line it would be a big game but both teams are hoping to get promoted. The pressure is off us because we’re pretty much nailed on to be in the play-offs.

“We drew 3-3 with them earlier in the season and we’re expecting another good game. Worsbrough have been on a great run after a poor start.

“They would be up there challenging for the title if they started better.

“Dearne are in the mix as well so there could be three Barnsley teams in the play-offs which would be great.

“Bridge have some very very good players. They have not gone on that run for nothing.

“We know what derbies are like. We all know each other. There is an added edge.

“Every time we’ve played, there has been friendly banter but it’s not crossed the line.”

Town won 3-0 at lowly Yorkshire Amateur on Saturday. Oliver Fearon scored twice and Cian Guest once.

They are eight points behind leaders Horbury Town – who have played two more games – and three behind second-placed Wakefield who have played the same amount of games as the Wombwell club. Rose said: “Wakefield should win the league now. We have had too many daft results at home.

“Better budgets get you better players and better teams and better results.

“For us to still be in the fight going into the last month, we’re delighted with that. We haven’t completely given up hope of the title. We would need to win all of the last six games. We’re trying to finish as high as we can.

“If we miss out, we will lick our wounds and have a massive crack at the play-offs when no one will be relishing playing against us.

“We’ve only lost one of 14 which was against a very good Wakefield side.”

Bridge lost 3-1 at home to title contenders Wakefield on Saturday, a second successive defeat.

Keelan Grist levelled in first half stoppage time then Wakefield netted twice after the break.

Morris said: “I think Wakefield will probably win the title so it was never going to be an easy game.

“We played well but were punished for some mistakes and deserved to lose in the end. We knew this would be a tough spell. We played Horbury and Wakefield twice so it would be a tough ask. We should have beaten Harrogate last week but some nights are not your nights.”

Worsbrough did not win any of their first nine games.

Morris said: “We would never have believed we could have been in this position after the start we had.

“We’re in a great position.

“We’ll do everything we can to get in those play-offs and, whether it happens or not, it’s been a terrific season.

“I think we’re close to the record for points tally and highest finish the club has had. It’s exciting.

“I can’t praise the players and the staff enough. We haven’t got a budget to sign players so my lads have been playing through injury. It’s been a long, tough season and I am ready to get my swim shorts on when it finishes but I hope that’s not for an extra couple of weeks because we get in the play-offs.”

Dearne and District are in the final play-off place.

They drew 1-1 at Maltby on Saturday.

Dearne fell behind but Taylor Nicholson levelled just before the break.

They then won 3-0 at Armthorpe on Tuesday, with goals by Curtis Wilkinson, Jamie Austin and Bayley Lowe.

Dearne, who are in their first season at this level, need ten points from their remaining five games to secure a place in the play-offs.

They have a game in hand on the two teams directly below them.

The league season ends on April 12.